Venemous Revenge

Authority Means Responsibility

Strange happenings were noticed in the main zoo of the city. The caged animals appeared to be disturbed  and so were the birds inside their specially built sanctuary. Visitors began to leave early that day, apprehensive of some untoward incident.

The birds had thought of the brilliant idea of communicating for they too had felt the brunt, the pain and pangs of hunger. The parching thirst and severe cold. They formed a group and appointed a leader, none other than the  rare, African, Grey Parrot, the talented mimic, focused, keen listener and verbally so vociferous. Just the right one  for  the job. He was sent to convey the important message to the King Lion, the Tiger, the Fox and the Cobra.

This was the Core Committee for Defense.

The protection of all the animals was at stake.

It all began when the African Grey Parrot shouted out loud, as he flew all around the Zoo.  Over the area, near the cages and the stony rockeries, screaming,  “No need to feed, no need to feed,  the money is all ours, we shall do with it whatever we please, my authority my wish, our authority our wish.”

The animals had a secret plan. Today was the great inspection day. Officials from the Ministry of Environment had already arrived.

“The zoo is too clean, today”, thought the Minister.

Soon the checking began. As they neared the Lion’s cage the always passive animal lunged forward and  grabbed the coat of an accompanying Officer. He pulled at it and tore it away and then let out a loud roar. Next the tiger too showed the same reaction. The fox kept trotting inside the cage, as if in severe pain, letting out whining sounds.

The worst  happened near the snake sanctuary.

As the official’s group moved near, a dark black snake slithered outside, hissing loudly he thrust his head at the Zoo officer and stuck his fangs in his right ankle. The guards leapt to save the officer.

Inquiry revealed that the birds had pecked out an opening for the snake in the thin wired wall.  All the animals had not been served food and water for the past two days.

Authority means responsibility, negligence of duty results in dangerous consequences.

© 2020, story and art, Anjum Wasim Dar